Audi is signaling a new direction for its performance lineup with a teaser pointing to a plug-in hybrid RS5, this time expected to arrive in station wagon form. The development suggests a major shift for the model, which was discontinued as a coupe in 2024 after years as a discreet, high-powered executive car.
The automaker confirmed plans for the new RS5 through a teaser image previewing an RS5 Avant, indicating a full reveal could happen soon. The upcoming vehicle is expected to be Audi’s first performance plug-in hybrid, blending traditional combustion power with electrification in a segment that has increasingly embraced hybrid technology.
The move positions Audi alongside competitors already pursuing similar strategies. BMW’s M5 and Mercedes-Benz’s AMG C63 have both adopted plug-in hybrid systems to increase output, though the added battery components have also introduced additional weight. Audi engineers will face the same challenge, balancing performance expectations with the mass associated with electrified drivetrains. Maintaining sports car-like driving dynamics in a vehicle likely exceeding two tons will be a key hurdle.
The previous RS5 generation used a 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 producing 444 horsepower, capable of accelerating from zero to 60 mph in about 3.5 seconds. Earlier versions featured a naturally aspirated V-8 rated at 450 horsepower with a high-revving character that became a defining trait. A plug-in hybrid successor is expected to push performance further, with output potentially approaching or surpassing rivals in the segment, including the AMG C63’s 671 horsepower benchmark.
While the RS5 has long been recognized for understated power and executive styling, the transition to a plug-in hybrid system marks a broader industry trend. Electrification is increasingly shaping performance vehicles, even as automakers work to preserve driving engagement and identity.
The RS5 name is expected to carry forward that reputation, now tied to a new era of electrified performance and a body style that expands its appeal beyond the traditional coupe format.
Via Audi
